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Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

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Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#141

Post by Retric »

rad_gruchalski wrote: post #137
Retric wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Being alert doesn’t change the laws of physics. You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower. And it keeps going, excess speed doesn’t seem like a big deal but there’s a re…

We can continue this discussion. > You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower. The tires have a speed rating. Have a look at the tire wall. The letter on the tire tells y…

Speed ratings aren’t guarantees by some all powerful creator, they are based around various assumptions and tests for manufacturing defects etc. At best you can get some estimates for the probability of failure given specific conditions but I sincerely doubt you have that.

In the end you can’t know what you are actually driving, only make reasonable assumptions about it. I know people that died at low speeds and high speeds, but statistically it’s high speeds that are the most significant risk and there isn’t anything you can do to eliminate those risks.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#142

Post by amai »

justapassenger wrote: post #29

Speed doesn't kill, speed differential does. Any road where you have a big differential between speeds by various road users is just inherently dangerous. If everyone would be doing 250km/h, it'd be safe. Same if everyone would be doing 120km/h. But when you mix 250 and 120 on the same road, it's inherently dangerous.

Trucks are only allowed to go at 100km/h at the highway in Germany and are therefore a major obstacle for the car drivers going at much higher speed.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#143

Post by rad_gruchalski »

Retric wrote: post #141
rad_gruchalski wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We can continue this discussion. > You are putting others at risk by driving faster because for example the increased forces on your tire dramatically increase the risks of a blowout. They are less able to deal with avoiding obstacles not only from reaction time issues but because their increased momentum makes turning slower. The tires have a speed rating. Have a look at the tire wall. The letter on the tire tells y…

Speed ratings aren’t guarantees by some all powerful creator, they are based around various assumptions and tests for manufacturing defects etc. At best you can get some estimates for the probability of failure given specific conditions but I sincerely doubt you have that. In the end you can’t know what you are actually driving, only make reasonable assumptions about it. I know people that died at low speeds and high…

Make your educated choice wisely. Like isn’t about how often you statistically die.

At the end of the day life is a sexually transmitted disease with a 100% mortality rate.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#144

Post by HyperSane »

kmlx wrote: post #113
bluecalm wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a solution which EU is actually implementing: automatic speed limiters in every car. Unfortunately the auto industry lobbies successfully to delay it and cripple it so instead of having it obligatory in every car 10 years ago we will have a crippled version of it in some cars (new ones) starting in a year. It's a start though. 20 more years and the problem will be solved.

> automatic speed limiters in every car. this is literally the nightmare of every driver.

There is no need for any car to go faster than 80 or 90 mph. The fuel efficiency at those speeds is terrible.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#146

Post by valerij »

yrgulation wrote: post #145

Germany sure needs to considering policing the autobahn better. The number of drivers tailgating and flashing is atrocious. I dont understand how such a cool road system has become so aggressive.

a common misconception: per german traffic law flashing lights is a valid way to notify the car in front of you of your intent to overtake. of-course does not apply when both cars are in leftmost lane, there it is a punishable offence (drängeln)

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#148

Post by yrgulation »

valerij wrote: post #146
yrgulation wrote: post #145

Germany sure needs to considering policing the autobahn better. The number of drivers tailgating and flashing is atrocious. I dont understand how such a cool road system has become so aggressive.

a common misconception: per german traffic law flashing lights is a valid way to notify the car in front of you of your intent to overtake. of-course does not apply when both cars are in leftmost lane, there it is a punishable offence (drängeln)

a silly law if you ask me. pressuring people driving in front is extremely dangerous. it’s already clear that there is an intention to overtake since you are driving on the outermost lane, no need to be rude and agressive.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#149

Post by MandieD »

nikau wrote: post #106
LargoLasskhyfv wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With which you 'voided the warranty', 'allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis' and any insurance. Which in case of an accident trashes your life, even if nothing really bad happened (to you).

Does it void insurance? AFAIK as long as you have correct rated tires its legal.

There’s a difference between “legal” and what most people's insurance contracts say. Most normally-priced collision policies have clauses stating that if you were driving in excess of 130, the insurer reserves the right not to pay for damage you did to your vehicle, even if was otherwise legal for you to be driving over 130. Have fun even getting liability after that.

Modifying your car in a way that would make it fail TÜV (German car inspections, which other posters have noted are far more exacting than even the stricter US states) would be grounds for non-payment no matter what you were doing, as you’ve intentionally made your car non-roadworthy.

It’s also illegal to modify a car in a way that will fail TÜV, which means, in the eyes of the law, you’re doing the same thing as the guy driving a rust heap that he won’t bother bringing in for inspection because he knows it will fail.

Beginner's Guide to Germany: any course of action whose success relies on an inattentive bureaucrat or non-diligent technician is more likely to bite you in the bum than back home, unless “back home” is Singapore.

Re: Debunking common myths about the Autobahn

#150

Post by throw827474737 »

WirelessGigabit wrote: post #17
MandieD wrote: post #11

Despite having occasionally enjoyed letting ‘er rip at 160-180 (about 100-110mph), I lean towards a 130 general limit - having a kid changes a lot of one’s priorities, it turns out. The author should have listed the fatalities by 100 million km driven - of course practically-empty Finland is going to have far fewer fatalities per 1000km of road than much denser Germany!

Having done 250kmph / 155mph on the German Autobahn I do wonder what why you feel like you should take the pleasure away from other people because you had a kid? No-one forces you to drive faster (1) and when driving you can stick to the right lane (2) and check your mirrors when you need to pass (3).

Doesn't need kids to cringe for one's life is all I can say, and fine to take any fun for that away :p
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